Mounting for paneling elements or a sub-structure for paneling elements

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mounting for paneling elements or a sub-structure for paneling elements. Known mountings of this type have the disadvantage that quick, exact and simple adjustment is not possible. Said problem is solved by a mounting comprising an inner profile ( 2 ) that is supported in an outer profile ( 1 ) in a non-rotatable, radially fixed and axially displaceable way relative thereto. One of the profiles ( 1, 2 ) comprises a fastening base ( 2   a ), the other one an installation head ( 5 ). The inner profile ( 2 ) has an inner thread ( 2   b ) extending in the axial direction. A screw ( 4 ) with a screw head ( 4   c ) and an adjusting means ( 4   b ) and an outer thread ( 4   a ) engaging in the inner thread extends through at least part of the outer profile ( 1 ) and the inner profile. The screw head ( 4   c ) is axially fixed in relation to the outer profile ( 1 ), but can be rotated. The adjusting means of the screw can be accessed such that, by rotating the screw, the length of the engagement of the inner profile into the outer profile can be adjusted.

The present invention relates to a mounting for panelling elements or a sub-structure for panelling elements and the present invention relates in particular to a mounting for facade elements or a facade sub-structure.

A mounting for a facade structure is disclosed, for instance, in EP 0309778 A1, the mounting in accordance with this publication being constructed in the form of a one-piece fastening bracket. The fastening bracket has two limbs with angled edge regions. One of the limbs is fastened with a screw to a building wall and the other limb has two fastening holes for the fastening of facade elements and a spring clip bent out of the material of the limb. The spring clip serves to temporarily fasten the facade element, which is connected by screws after appropriate alignment with the limb of the fastening bracket.

When fastening the facade element, it is firstly inserted into the spring clips of a plurality of fastening brackets, whereby the spring clips effect a temporary fastening of the element. Since a house wall is never completely flat, even if it is not, for instance, rendered, the facade element must be aligned before the screwing process, the actual fastening process, by pushing the facade element, with appropriate fastening brackets, further into the spring clips with respect to the inserted position or pulling it out from it. Such an alignment process is time-consuming and imprecise since it is not possible to move the facade element through a precisely defined distance in the spring clip.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a mounting for panelling elements or a sub-structure for panelling elements which enables a rapid, precise and simple adjustment.

This object is solved in accordance with the invention with a mounting with the features of claim 1. In accordance with the invention, the mounting has an inner profile which is mounted in an outer profile so as to be rotationally stationary, radially fixed and axially movable with respect to it.

One of the two profiles has a fastening foot, by means of which the mounting is secured with appropriate fastening means to a substrate. The other profile has a mounting head, to which the panelling elements or the sub-structure for these panelling elements are fastened, whereby this fastening can be effected in any desired manner known to the expert. The two profiles engaging in one another extend in the axial direction between the fastening foot and the mounting head such that the distance between the fastening foot and the mounting head is determined by the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile. The engaging profiles define the longitudinal axis of the mounting, whereby the longitudinal axis also extends, preferably centrally, through the mounting head and the fastening foot. The length of engagement between the inner and outer profiles decreases when the overall length of the mounting is increased and the engagement length increases correspondingly when the length of the mounting is reduced.

The inner profile has an internal screw thread extending in the axial direction or an axially and rotationally fixed component including such an internal screw thread. Which of the two alternatives is to be selected in a predetermined mounting depends crucially on the material of the inner profile. If this material is too soft, a screw thread can be formed (for instance milled) in the profile but this would not be able to absorb sufficiently high forces. In such an event, a component, which afford the internal screw thread, should be arranged in the inner profile. If the inner profile is made of a sufficiently hard material, the additional component can be omitted and the internal screw thread can be formed directly in the inner profile.

The mounting further includes a screw, which extends through at least a portion of the outer profile and of the inner profile, and includes a screw head, an adjustment means and an external screw thread engaging in the internal screw thread. The screw head is axially fixed but rotatable with respect to the outer profile and the adjustment means of the screw can be accessed such that the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile is adjustable by rotation of the screw.

In the mounting in accordance with the invention, the screw thus serves as an adjustment means, with which the length of engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile is established. The fixing of the length of engagement with the aid of a screw is very much more precise by comparison with the known manner of adjustment and also more rapid since a defined change in the length of engagement is associated with a defined rotation of the screw. The mounting in accordance with the invention is maintained structurally simple and may be manufactured economically and in large numbers. The mounting in accordance with the invention is universally useable with any substrate. Thus it is, for instance, possible to use the mounting for fastening ceiling panels or when laying wood planks on, for instance, a terrace. The mounting is, however, preferably used in the fastening of facade elements or the sub-structure for these elements.

The mounting in accordance with the invention can be fastened to the substrate either via the inner profile or the outer profile. For this purpose, the inner profile or the outer profile has a fastening foot, which is fixed to the substrate with fastening means.

In the event that the inner profile has the fastening foot, the mounting head is fastened to the outer profile. This type of structure enables an advantageous development of the mounting, in which the fastening foot is constructed integrally with the inner profile.

The fact that the inner profile is integral with the fastening foot reduces the number of components in the mounting and permits a structurally particularly simple and thus economical construction of the mounting. Further advantages of the integral construction of the inner profile with the fastening foot are set forth below.

With an integral construction of the inner profile with the fastening foot, the screw head can be axially fixed in position in the inner profile itself. In such a case, the mounting head would have to have a threaded region, with which the threaded region of the screw cooperates. This can, however, mean with certain constructions of the mounting that the screw slides into or through the mounting head when the length of engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile is increased.

An embodiment is therefore preferred in which the screw head is axially fixed to the mounting head. In this embodiment, the screw body moves, when the length of engagement of the inner profile and the outer profile is increased, that is to say the overall length of mounting is reduced, further into the inner profile. The fixing of the screw head to the mounting head can, for instance, be effected by inserting the screw through an opening in the mounting head and providing the screw body with a retaining means, which prevents removal of the screw.

However, an embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention is preferred in which the screw head in axially fixed between two webs on the mounting head and one of the webs has an opening through which the screw thread may be introduced behind the web directed towards the inner profile. The screw head is thus received in the body of the mounting head and is not a hindrance during the fastening of panelling elements or a sub-structure to the mounting head. The opening in the web, directed towards the inner profile, of the mounting head is preferably of key hole shape. The web remote from the inner profile also has an opening, through which the adjustment means is accessible, whereby the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile is adjusted by rotation of the screw. In such a construction of the mounting, the screw head affords the adjustment means. The adjustment means can, for instance, be a hexagonal recess formed in the screw head.

As an alternative to the fixing in position of the screw head referred to above, it is also possible to fix the screw head between a web on the mounting head and a fastening insert. When the mounting is installed, the screw is firstly passed through an opening in the fastening insert and this is then pushed into the mounting head, whereby the fastening insert is held on the mounting head by two projections. After pushing in the fastening insert, the screw head is axially fixed in the mounting head, specifically between a web on the mounting head and the fastening insert pushed into the mounting head, The use of a fastening insert has the advantage that no key hole shaped opening need be formed in the mounting head, which further reduces the manufacturing costs for the mounting.

The manufacture of individual components of the mounting can be effected, for instance, by monoblock casting. The monoblock casting process is a non-continuous process which finds application, in particular, with components with a complex structure.

The mounting head, the inner and outer profiles and the fastening foot can be sections of an endless profile and thus manufacturable in a continuous casting process in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, whereby the cutting planes in the mounting head, the inner profile and the fastening foot, with respect to the positions of the components in the mounting, extend parallel to the axial direction or the longitudinal direction of the mounting. With respect to the endless profiles, these cutting planes extend transverse to their longitudinal axis, which of course facilitates the manufacture of the components in a continuous casting process. If the longitudinal axis of the endless profiles forming the basis of the components are projected into the mounting, this means that these longitudinal axes define an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the mounting. The cutting planes of the outer profile extend, again with respect to the position of the component in the mounting, transverse to the longitudinal direction or axial direction of the mounting. With respect to the endless profile forming the basis for the outer profile, these cutting planes extend of course again transverse to its longitudinal axis. If this axis is again projected into the mounting, this means that this longitudinal axis extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or axial direction of the mounting. Such a construction of the mounting is facilitated by the modular structure since different sections of a plurality of endless profiles can be rotated with respect to one another. Planes or webs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mounting can be produced in the mounting in this manner even though it consists merely of sections of a continuous casting. Such a construction is particularly advantageous since the components can be manufactured rapidly, economically and in large numbers, which represents a large economic advantage. After the separation of the components, the necessary openings must of course be, for instance, bored, which, however, does not represent an excessive effort with modern machine tools.

In the integral construction described above of the fastening foot with the inner profile, the mounting has only four important components—the screw, the inner and the outer profiles and the mounting head. The inner profile constructed integrally with the fastening foot can also be a section cut from an endless profile, whereby the manufacturing costs decrease yet again since only three components need be produced by a continuous casting process.

The individual components of the mounting can be made of any desired suitable material, whereby the individual materials are to be matched to the intended purpose. If the mounting is used, for instance, for fastening facade elements subjected to the effects of the weather, attention should be paid to using non-rusting material. The screw is preferably made in such a case of rust proof steel or high quality steel. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, the mounting head, the outer and inner profiles and the fastening foot are made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. The component made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy are light, economically manufacturable and insensitive to the effects of the weather.

The mounting is fastened to a substrate by fixing the fastening foot with suitable fastening means to a substrate.

The fastening means are generally made of a metal or a metal alloy and are constructed, for instance, in the form of screws, rivets or nails.

Such fastening means are extremely good thermal conductors. When fixing the fastening foot in position, such fastening means are driven, under certain circumstances, far into the substrate in order to ensure the necessary stability. If the mounting is used for retaining facade elements or a corresponding sub-structure, the fastening means are introduced into the wall of a house. If a lower temperature prevails outside than in the house, the fastening means function as cold fingers.

In order to prevent heat loss via the fastening foot, an insulating means is arranged on it which is located, in the fastened state of the mounting, between the substrate, for instance a house wall, and the fastening foot. Heat loss occurs, however, also via the fastening means, with which the fastening foot is secured to the substrate. As a result of the direct contact between the fastening foot and the fastening means, thermal transfer can occur between them. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting, an insulation means is arranged on the fastening foot such that thermal insulation is provided between the fastening foot and a substrate and between the fastening foot and means for securing the fastening foot to the substrate. Heat loss via the fastening foot is thus prevented from occurring. Since the thermal transfer between the fastening foot and the fastening means is also prevented, the heat loss via the mounting in this embodiment is particularly low.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fastening foot is bevelled at its ends and is inserted, for the purpose of securing the mounting, into a fastening rail, in which the fastening foot is fixed in position by two insertion elements. An insulating plate can be attached to the fastening rail in order to prevent thermal transfer between the mounting and the substrate. The actual fastening of the mountings to the substrate is then effected again by conventional fastening means which are, however, not passed through the fastening foot and do not engage it but through the insertion elements. In order to prevent thermal transfer between the fastening means and the mounting, these insertion elements are preferably made of a material with a low thermal conductivity, for instance a plastic material, whereby it should be ensured that the insertion elements have a sufficient hardness so that an appropriate resistance is applied to the fastening means.

In a preferred embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, the screw has a retaining means, which provides an abutment for the inner profile. This abutment prevents the screw being moved out beyond the position defined by the retaining means when the length of engagement between the inner profile and the outer profile is reduced. It is ensured in this manner that there is always a length of engagement which ensures the stability of the mounting. The retaining means can, for instance, be screwed on to the external screw thread on the screw or be inserted into a bore extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the screw.

In order to provide assistance in the adjustment of the mounting, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a scale is arranged on the inner profile in its longitudinal direction. The scale can, for instance, be embossed into the inner profile or secured to it by an adhesive. The scale can be so arranged that a region of the scale gives an optical warning of a too small length of engagement between the outer and inner profiles, The scale is commonly divided into mm sections, which indicate, for instance, the length of engagement between the profiles. In one embodiment, the scale can be formed as a double scale which, in addition to mm sections, also has information as to what forces the mounting element can absorb at which length of engagement.

The construction of the actual mounting region of the mounting head, that is to say of the region to which elements of the panelling or the substructure can be secured, can be matched as desired to the relevant application. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, however, the mounting head is of U-shaped construction and the inner surfaces of the limbs each have at least one respective groove, whereby the grooves extend transversely to the limb direction. With respect to the longitudinal direction of the mounting, this orientation of the grooves means that they extend transversely to the longitudinal direction. Such an orientation of the grooves does not influence the manufacture of the mounting head as a section of an endless profile. Corresponding projections, for instance, on the elements to the fastened can engage into the grooves so that tensional forces, which act on the elements, are carried by the grooves or the projections. The number of grooves per limb inner surface is variable and can be matched to the application. The grooves can of course also extend parallel to the longitudinal direction but in the event that the mounting head is a section of a longitudinal profile they must be formed in it subsequently. Furthermore, the grooves can then not contribute to the absorption of tensional forces, depending on the orientation of the mounting head.

The fastening of the panelling elements or the sub-structure to the mounting heads can be effected in any desired manner known to the expert. Thus each mounting can, for instance, be connected individually to the respective element to be secured, for instance by rivets and by a screw connection. Such a rigid fastening does, however, not take account of the longitudinal expansion of the panelling elements or the sub-structure as a result of variations in temperature.

Since the mounting is designed primarily for use outside, this longitudinal expansion can be very considerable. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting, at least one of the limbs of the mounting head therefore has at least two bores, of which at least one is constructed as an elongate hole extending transversely to the direction of the limb. A corresponding construction of the mounting head enables a simple fastening which takes account of the longitudinal expansion in that the element to be fastened is positionally fixedly fastened to the mounting head at only one mounting—for instance by a screw connection or the like. At the other mountings which are used for fastening the element, this element is fastened with appropriate fastening means only by means of the elongate hole such that movement of the fastening means in the elongate holes, caused by expansion of the length or contraction of the length of the element, is ensured whilst the element is still secured by the fastening means against movement parallel to the direction of the limbs. It is ensured in this manner that the element can move as a result of the changes of length transversely to the limb direction but not parallel to it. As a result of the locationally fixed connection of the element at merely one mounting, the expansion of the length (and correspondingly the reduction in the length) can occur in each case only in one direction, seen from the connection point. Movement of the element over time can thus be prevented. Material fatigue, which would occur as a result of the expansion in the length if the element were positionally fixedly connected at a number of positions can also be inhibited in this manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the mounting, releasably arranged in the U-shape mounting head is at least one locking means, with which an element of the panelling or of the sub-structure may be lockingly mounted. Such a locking means can, for instance, be of U-shape, whereby it is releasably and adjustably secured to the mounting head in such a case by means of a respective bore in the mounting head limbs. In the released state, the locking means is connected to the mounting head but the element to be secured can be pushed into the space between the limbs of the locking means and the limbs of the mounting head, whereafter the locking means is further fixed in position and the element is thus lockingly mounted. With such a construction of the locking means, it must of course be ensured that the region between the limbs is flexible.

The locking means can, however, also be of two-part construction. In this event, one respective locking element is releasbly and adjustably secured at one of the limbs of the mounting head.

When the above locking means is used, the fixing in position of the element is particularly simple. It is simply inserted and fixed in position by the locking means. For the purpose of fastening, no opening, for instance, thus need be bored in the element—processing of the element for its fastening can be completely omitted. This yet further increases the precision of adjustment since processing of the element to be fastened is always associated with a loss of precision as regards the fastened position.

The invention will be described below in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, in which

FIG. 1 a is a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 1 b is a sectional view on the plane A-A in FIG. 1 a,

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are views of an exemplary embodiment of an inner profile, wherein FIG. 3 a is a plan view and FIG. 3 b is a side view of the inner profile,

FIG. 4 a is a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of a mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 4 b is a sectional view on a plane B-B of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 a,

FIG. 4 c is a detailed plan view of a mounting head of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 a,

FIG. 4 d is a detailed side view of the mounting head of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 a, and

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are detailed views of a locking means of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4 a, wherein FIG. 5 a is a plan view and FIG. 5 b is a side view,

FIG. 6 a is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the mounting with an alternative construction of the fastening foot and FIGS. 6 b to 6 e are views of the elements of the mounting shown in FIG. 6 a, and

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show an embodiment of the mounting head and an embodiment of the fastening insert.

FIG. 1 a illustrates a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, wherein this view is intended to illustrate only the general principle of the invention—details of the mounting in accordance with the invention are shown only in part in this view. The sectional plane extends horizontally through the central axis of the mounting so that FIG. 1 a is a plan view onto this sectional plane.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 a includes an inner profile (2) with a fastening foot (2 a), wherein this fastening foot (2 a) is formed integrally with the inner profile (2). The longitudinal direction or the axial direction of the mounting is indicated with the chain line (10), which extends centrally through the entire mounting. The inner profile (2) shown in this exemplary embodiment includes no webs or planes which extend parallel to the sectional plane. All webs or planes extend at a right angle to the sectional plane. This construction of the inner profile (2) enables it to be manufactured as a section of an endless profile.

The inner profile can be fastened in the region of the fastening foot (2 a) (by means of fastening means which are not illustrated) to a suitable substrate. In a region remote from the fastening foot, the inner profile (2) has a threaded section (2 b, 2 c). In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, two different manners of providing a screw thread, i.e. two different threaded regions, are illustrated. However, in a construction of the mounting which is used, only one of these types of provision of the screw thread is implemented, that is to say in dependence on the material used and on the intended application of the mounting. The screw thread is then of course provided over the entire periphery and not merely over half of the mounting, as indicated in FIG. 1 a.

In the “upper” half, with respect to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, of the exemplary embodiment, the screw thread is provided by positioning in the end face of the inner profile remote from the fastening foot an internal screw thread (2 c), which is in engagement with an external screw thread (4 a) on a screw (4) extending through the mounting. The internal screw thread (2 c) is provided in the inner profile (2) after its manufacture with a suitable method.

The internal screw thread is provided in the “lower” half of FIG. 1 a by providing a component with an internal screw thread (92 b), which is axially and rotationally fixedly secured in position between two webs on the inner profile. The internal screw thread (2 b) on the component is in engagement with the external screw thread (4 a) on the screw (4).

The inner profile (2) is partially surrounded by an outer profile (1) in the assembled position shown in FIG. 1 a. The outer profile (1) is constructed in the illustrated exemplary embodiment in the form of a continuous rectangular cylinder with open ends. In other exemplary embodiments, the outer profile (1) can, however, also be so constructed that it has a recess in the longitudinal direction in a plane of the wall surface of the cylinder. Such a construction of the cylinder can contribute to a weight reduction of the mounting. The outer profile (1) is so constructed that it can also be produced as a section of an endless profile, wherein the longitudinal direction of a corresponding profile would extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (10) of the mounting.

The depth of engagement between the inner profile (2) and the outer profile (1) is adjusted by means of the screw (4). The screw (4) includes an outer screw thread (4 a), a screw head (4 c) and an adjustment means (4 b), by means of which the screw (4) can be rotated and is axially fixed in position with the screw head (4 c) in a mounting head (5) secured to the outer profile (1). The outer screw thread (4 a) on the screw (4) is also in engagement with the internal screw thread (2 b, 2 c) provided on the inner profile (2) so that rotary movement of the screw (4) influences the length of engagement between the inner profile (2) and the outer profile (1). In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the adjustment means (4 b) is arranged in the screw head (4 c) and has the form of a hexagonal recess. In other exemplary embodiments, this adjustment means can be differently constructed—in this connection see, for instance, FIG. 2.

The screw (4) also includes a retaining means (6), which is fastened to the screw (4) at a predetermined position, whereby the set position ensures that the engagement length between the two profiles cannot be reduced below a minimum permissible amount. If a certain minimum engagement length, set by the position of the retaining means (6) on the screw (4), is adjusted, at maximum extension of the mounting in the longitudinal direction, the retaining means (6) constitutes a stop for the inner profile (2). A further reduction in the engagement length is then no longer possible.

The mounting head (5) is fastened to the outer profile (1) at a fastening region (1 d) of the outer profile (1). This fastening is effected by means of a technique known to the expert. The mounting head (5) is, for instance, riveted at the fastening region (1 d). In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 a, the screw head (4 c) is fixed in position axially in the mounting head (5), specifically between two webs, which extend orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the mounting. In order to be able to gain access to the screw (4) disposed in the mounting head (5), the mounting head (5) has an opening (5 a), which is formed in the head (5) after its manufacture. The mounting head itself has a rectangular fastening region, in which the mounting head (5) is fastened to the outer profile (1). Integrally formed at the fastening region are two limbs (5 b), which extend in the illustrated exemplary embodiment parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the mounting. In order to fix the screw head (4 c) axially to the mounting head (5), it is introduced into the cavity in the fastening region of the mounting head, namely through an opening (5 i) in the web of the fastening region, which is directed towards the inner profile (2) (see also FIG. 4 d).

In other exemplary embodiments, the screw head can be fixed axially to the mounting head (5) in a different manner. Thus it is, for instance, possible that the screw is passed through the opening (5 a) in the mounting head (5) and the screw has a retaining means behind the opening (5 a), which prevents axial displacement of the screw (4) towards the mounting head (5).

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the mounting head (5) is so constructed that it can be produced as a section of an endless profile. Thus all the main components (inner profile, outer profile, mounting head) can be produced as sections of endless profiles, which renders possible a particularly economical manufacture of the individual components and thus of the mounting in accordance with the invention. The components are preferably made of aluminium or an Al alloy but other materials can also be used in appropriate applications.

Elements of panelling or a sub-structure can be fastened to the mounting head (5) with fastening means known to the expert. If facade elements or elements of a facade sub-structure are fastened with the mounting in accordance with FIG. 1 a, a number of mountings are generally used in dependence on the size of the element, whereby the mountings are preferably fastened to a wall such that the webs of the inner profile extend vertically.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, whereby this view is also supposed to show only the general principle of the invention—details of the mounting in accordance with the invention are only shown in part in this view. The sectional plane extends horizontally through the central axis of the mounting so that FIG. 2 represents a plan view onto this sectional plane.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated schematically in FIG. 2 corresponds to a substantial extent to that already described in FIG. 1 a so that primarily the components or their arrangement in the mounting itself, which differ from those of the first embodiment, will be discussed below.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 also includes an outer profile (1) and a fastening foot (1 a), whereby the fastening foot (1 a) is not constructed integrally with the outer profile (1) but as a separate component. The mounting is connected at the fastening foot (1 a) by fastening means (not shown) to any desired substrate. Axially fixed in the fastening foot (1) is a screw (2) which extends from the fastening foot (1 a) through the outer profile (1) into a threaded region (2 b, 2 c) of an inner profile (2). The length of engagement between the inner profile (2) and the outer profile (1) can be adjusted in this exemplary embodiment also by rotation of a screw (4) but the screw (4) in this exemplary embodiment is not axially fixed in the mounting head (5) but instead in the fastening foot (1 a). The mounting head (5) is fastened at a fastening region (2 c) of the inner profile to the latter and has an opening (5 a), through which access may be had to an adjustment means (4 b) of the screw (4). The opening (5 a) in the mounting head (5) is formed in it after its manufacture. The screw (4) also includes a retaining means (6), which prevents an excessive reduction in the length of engagement between the profiles, i.e. screwing of the inner profile out of the outer profile.

The main components of the mounting (i.e. the fastening foot, the inner profile and the outer profile and the mounting head) may be produced in this exemplary embodiment also as sections from endless profiles, which again ensures economical manufacture of the individual components.

FIG. 1 b is a sectional view on the plane A-A in FIG. 1 a. Extending within the outer profile (1), which is of rectangular shape in this exemplary embodiment, is the inner profile (2) with two perpendicular parallel webs (2′, 2″) in the outer profile (1), whereby the two webs (2′, 2″) of the inner profile (2) engage the side walls of the outer profile (1). Laterally of the outer profile (1) may be seen the fastening foot (1 a), which is formed integrally with the inner profile (1). The screw (4) with the retaining means (6) extends centrally through the mounting.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are views of an exemplary embodiment of an inner profile (2), wherein the illustrated inner profile (2) finds application in a first exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention described in more detail in FIG. 1 a.

The inner profile (2) includes a fastening foot (2 a), which is constructed integrally with it, with two fastening openings (2 c′, 2 c″), one of the fastening openings (2 c′) being formed as a circular opening and the other fastening opening being formed as an elongate hole (2 c″) (see FIG. 3 b in particular in this connection). Close to the foot region, the inner profile (2) has two abutment means (21), which are engaged by the outer profile (1) when the engagement length between the inner and outer profiles (2, 1) is at a maximum. The abutment means (21) are formed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the mounting or the inner profile (1). In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, the inner profile (2) has a reinforced region (20), in which the thickness of the two webs (2′, 2″) decreases from the fastening foot to a predetermined point along the longitudinal dimension of the webs or inner profile.

At the end face remote from the fastening foot, the inner profile (2) has two parallel webs (23′, 23″), which define a cavity (22) open to both sides. Formed in the webs after the manufacture of the inner profile—for instance as a section of an endless profile—there is an opening (24), through which, when the mounting is installed, the screw (not shown) is passed. During the installation of the mounting, a component is introduced into the cavity (22) defined by the two webs (23′, 23″) and is axially and rotationally fixed in the cavity (22), which component provides an internal screw thread, with which the external screw thread on the screw (not shown) cooperates.

Embossed in an outer surface of a web (2′) of the inner profile (2) is a scale (7), with which the engagement length or engagement depth between the inner and outer profiles is indicated. The scale (7) can also be constructed in other exemplary embodiments as a double scale.

FIG. 4 a is a plan view of a further exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, the section being horizontal through the mounting.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a includes an inner profile (2) with an integrally constructed fastening foot (2 a). The fastening foot has two fastening openings (2 c), of which one fastening opening can be constructed in the form of an elongate hole (which cannot be seen in the view of FIG. 4 a). Arranged on the fastening foot (2 a) is insulating means (8) such that on the one hand thermal insulation is achieved between the fastening foot (2 a) and a substrate (not shown) and on the other hand thermal insulation between the fastening foot (2 a) and the corresponding fastening means (not shown) with which the mounting or the fastening foot is fastened to the substrate, is achieved. A detailed view of the arrangement of the thermal insulation in the region of a fastening opening (2 c) is shown in FIG. 4 b, the view in FIG. 4 b being a sectional view on the axis B-B in FIG. 4 a.

In order to achieve the aforementioned insulation with respect to the substrate and the fastening foot, the fastening opening (2 c) in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 b is lined over its entire periphery by the insulation means (8) and the insulation means (8) also extends at the surface of the fastening foot (2 a) remote from the substrate about the opening (8 a) to a certain extent. The insulation means quasi-defines a wall (8 a) around the fastening openings (2 c). If the mounting is now fastened with appropriate means to the substrate (not shown), no contact is produced on the one hand between the fastening foot (2 a) and the substrate and on the other hand no contact is produced between the fastening means themselves and the fastening foot (2 a). The transmission of cold into the substrate can be minimised in this manner—it occurs merely via the fastening means themselves but no longer via the fastening foot (2 a).

In order to arrange the insulation means (8) in a manner corresponding to the fastening foot (2 a), the insulation means (8) is, for instance, injection moulded around the fastening foot (2 a). The insulation means can contain fibres, such as glass wool or the like, which increase the stability of the insulation means.

Reference will be made again below to FIG. 4 a. In addition to the inner profile (2) with the integrally formed fastening foot (2 a), the illustrated exemplary embodiment further includes an outer profile (1) and a screw (4), with which the engagement depth or length between the inner and outer profiles is adjusted.

Fastened to the outer profile (1) is a mounting head (5), which will be described in more detail below. The section of the mounting head (5) which is not received in the outer profile (1) is of U shape, whereby the two limbs of the U-shaped section in the illustrated exemplary embodiment extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting and thus parallel to the webs (2′, 2″) of the inner profile. The mounting head (5) of the embodiment of FIG. 4 a is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 c and 4 d, whereby FIG. 4 c is a plan view and FIG. 4 d is a side view of the mounting head (5).

Each limb of the mounting head (5) includes, on the inner surfaces of the limb, a plurality of grooves (5 b), which extend transversely to the direction of the limb or the longitudinal direction of the mounting. Releasably arranged in the mounting head are two locking means (5 c), which are shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, whereby FIG. 5 a is a plan view and FIG. 5 b is a side view of the locking means (5 c). Each of the limbs of the mounting head (5) further includes three openings (5 e, 5 f, 5 g), two of which are used for fastening a corresponding element to the mounting head (5 e, 5 f) and one is used for fixing the locking means (5 c). One of the openings (5 f) used for the fastening of a corresponding element is constructed in the form of an elongate hole.

The locking means (5 c) include two projections (5 d), which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the locking means (5 c). These projections (5 d) engage in the fixed state of the locking means (5 c) in two of the grooves (5 b) in the mounting head. The locking means (5 c) themselves are connected to the limbs of the mounting head by means of fastening means (not shown) so as to be releasable and adjustable, whereby the fastening means extend through openings (5 h) in the locking means (5 c) and corresponding openings (5 g) in the mounting head (5). The locking means are constructed at their end remote from the inner profile in the form of locking regions (5 e), which have an undercut, with which, in the installed state, elements can be lockingly fastened to the mounting head.

FIG. 4 a shows such an installed state. The locking means (5 c) are fastened to the mounting head by means of fastening means (not shown). The fastened element (9), which is of double T shape in FIG. 4 a, is fixed in position by means of corresponding locking regions at the locking regions (5 a) of the locking means (5 c). At the same time, projections on the element engage in two of the grooves (5 b) in the mounting head (5).

The fastening process of the element (9) to the mounting head (5) with the locking means (5 c) will be briefly described below. During the fastening of a corresponding element (9), a number of mountings are commonly used—depending on the length of the element.

The locking means (5 c) are firstly loosely connected to the mounting head by means of fastening means (not shown). In this loose configuration, fastening limbs (9 a) of the element (9) are slid into apertures defined by the limbs of the mounting head (5) and the locking regions (5 e) of the locking means (5 d). The fastening means are then tightened and the locking means (5 c) are thus pulled towards the limbs of the mounting head. As soon as the distance between the locking regions (5 e) and the limbs of the mounting head (5) falls below a certain value, the element (9) is roughly fixed in position with respect to the longitudinal direction of the mounting. As soon as the fastening means are further tightened, projections on the limbs (9 a) of the element (9) engage in two of the grooves (5 b) in the limbs of the mounting head (5). At approximately the same distance, the projections (5 d) on the locking means (5 c) engage in the two other grooves (5 b) in the limbs of the mounting head (5). The element is now axially fixed in position with regard to the longitudinal axis of the element. The fastening with the locking means (5 c) is, however, merely such that axial movement is no longer possible. The element (9) is now still to be fixed so that movement transverse to the limb direction of the mounting head or the longitudinal axis of the mounting is only possible in an “aligned” manner. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 a, the movement transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mounting or transverse to the limb direction of the mounting head is a movement out of the sectional plane, that is to say a vertical movement, since FIG. 4 a is a plan view. In the event that FIG. 4 a were to be, for instance, a side view, the movement referred to above would be a horizontal movement of the element (9).

The movement is “aligned” since a certain movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting is to be permitted. As a result of the temperature-determined change in length of the element (9), it is advantageous that a certain movement is permitted with certain mountings. This prevents unnecessary stressing of the element/mounting head fastening points.

In order to enable “aligned” movement, the element (9) is fixedly located with respect to vertical movement merely at one of the plurality of mountings. In order to fasten an element (9), a plurality of mountings is, however, generally used, as already indicated, which are distributed over the length of the element (9). In order to achieve fixing of the element (9), which enables an aligned movement of the element, the element (9) is fastened to the mounting head in a positionally fixed manner at one mounting by means of fastening means (not shown), which are passed through openings (5 e) (FIG. 4 d), for instance by a screw connection or a rivet connection. As a result of this stationary fixing of the element (9) at one mounting or one mounting head, the element (9) can only still move starting from this fixed point and returns in the event of an opposite movement back to the starting position again.

The element (9) is fixed axially to the mounting with the aid of the locking means at the other mountings used for fastening the element (9) but not with fastening means via the openings (5 e) in the mounting heads (5) of the respective mountings. The element is instead fixed in position by means of opening (5 f) in the mounting heads, such that these fastening means permit movement of the element transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mounting but promote the axial securement of the element (9). In order to render this possible, these openings (5 f) are constructed in the form of elongate holes. During installation, the fastening means (not shown) are fixed to the element (9) in the centre of the elongate holes (5 f). In the event of a temperature-determined change in length of the element, the fastening means in the elongate holes can “wander” in them but further promote the axial fixing of the element to the mounting head (5). If the element (9) is fixed in position, for instance, at a predetermined temperature and thus a predetermined length and the ambient temperature increases, the element can expand starting from the stationary fastening at one mounting in one direction and thus in an “aligned” manner. The fastening means thus wander or move in the elongate holes (5 f) in the other mounting heads. When the ambient temperature subsequently decreases, the elements (9) move back into their starting position. It is thus ensured that no excessive material loading occurs at the fastening means which are not locationally fixed but it is ensured at the same time that the elements do not “wander” or move with time in the mountings.

An alternative embodiment of the mounting is shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 e, wherein FIG. 6 a is a side view of this exemplary embodiment of the mounting and FIGS. 6 b-6 e are elevations of the elements of the mounting shown in FIG. 6 a.

As may be seen in FIG. 6 b, the fastening foot 2 a is formed integrally with the inner profile (2) in this exemplary embodiment. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the fastening foot (2 a) is bevelled at its ends and these ends (2 a) engage behind corresponding projections (12 a) on a fastening rail (12) shown in detail in FIG. 6 c. Bevelling at the ends of the fastening foot (2 a) is not absolutely necessary but it simplifies insertion into the fastening rail (12). Of importance with this exemplary embodiment is merely that the foot and rail are matched to one another such that the foot can be inserted into the rail. The fastening foot (2 a), and via it the mounting, is fixed in position in the fastening rail (12) by two insertion elements (14), which are slid in. In order to enable fastening of the mounting to a substrate, both the fastening rail (12) and also the insertion elements (14) include openings (12 b, 14 b), through which fastening means (not shown) can be passed. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, an insulating plate (13) is also slid onto the fastening rail (12), which prevents thermal transfer between the mounting and the substrate. In order also to prevent thermal transfer via the fastening means, the insertion elements (14) can be formed of a material with a lower thermal conductivity but with an adequate strength.

FIG. 7 a shows an alternative construction of the mounting head, which has merely one web (51′). The second web is partially removed and only two projections (5 k′) are provided. When the mounting is installed, a fastening insert (11) rests on these projections, namely via corresponding projections (11 b) on the fastening insert (11). When installing the mounting, the screw is firstly pushed through an opening (11 a) in the fastening insert and the fastening insert (11) is then pushed together with the screw into the mounting head (5′). After the fastening insert (11) has been slid-in, the screw is axially fixed in position between the web on the mounting head and the fastening insert (11). The use of such a fastening insert (11) has the advantage that no keyhole-shaped opening, which is complex to form, need be formed in the mounting head. 

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A mounting for panelling elements or a sub-structure for panelling elements including an inner profile, which is mounted in an outer profile so as to be rotationally stationary, radially fixed and axially moveable with respect to it, wherein one of the profiles includes a fastening foot and the other profile includes a mounting head, wherein the profiles, which engage within one another, extend in the axial direction between the fastening foot and the mounting head such that the distance between the fastening foot and the mounting head is determined by the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile, wherein the inner profile includes an internal screw thread extending in the axial direction or an axially and rotationally fixed component which includes such an internal screw thread, wherein a screw with a screw head, an adjustment means and an external screw thread engaging with the internal screw thread extends through at least a portion of the outer profile and of the inner profile in the axial direction, wherein the screw head is axially fixed with respect to the outer profile but is rotatable and wherein the adjustment means of the screw are accessible such that the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile is adjustable by rotation of the screw.
 17. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the inner profile includes the fastening foot and the mounting head is secured to the outer profile.
 18. A mounting as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the fastening foot is formed integrally with the inner profile.
 19. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the screw head is fixed axially to the mounting head.
 20. A mounting as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the screw head is axially fixed between two webs on the mounting head and one of the webs has an opening, via which the screw head may be inserted behind the web directed towards the inner profile.
 21. A mounting as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that the mounting head, the outer profile and the inner profile together with the fastening foot are each sections cut from endless profiles, whereby the cutting planes of the mounting head and of the inner profile both extend parallel to the axial direction and the cutting planes of the outer profile extend transverse to the axial direction.
 22. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the mounting head, the outer profile, the inner profile and the fastening foot are each sections cut from endless profiles, wherein the cutting planes of the mounting head, the inner profile and the fastening foot extend parallel to the axial direction and the cutting planes of the outer profile extend transverse to the axial direction.
 23. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mounting head, the outer and inner profiles and the fastening foot are manufactured from aluminium or aluminium alloy.
 24. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the screw head is axially fixed between two webs on the fastening foot and one of the webs has an opening, via which the screw head may be inserted behind the web directed towards the outer profile.
 25. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that an insulation means is so arranged on the fastening foot that there is thermal insulation between the fastening foot and a substrate and between the fastening foot and means for fastening the fastening foot to the substrate.
 26. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the screw includes a retaining means, which provides an abutment for the inner profile.
 27. A mounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that a scale is arranged on the inner profile in its longitudinal direction.
 28. Amounting as claimed in claim 16, characterised in that the mounting head is of U-shaped construction and has at least one respective groove on the inner surfaces of the limbs, whereby the at least one groove extends transversely to the direction of the limb.
 29. A mounting as claimed in claim 28, characterised in that at least one of the limbs of the mounting head has at least two bores, at least one of which is constructed as an elongate hole extending transverse to the direction of the limb.
 30. A mounting as claimed in claim 29, characterised in that a locking means with at least one projection is releasably and adjustably arranged in the U-shape mounting head, wherein the at least one projection is associated with one of the grooves on a limb inner surface and engages in it in a fastened state. 